The Grey Matters
March 2023
Table of Contents1.) 2023 Physical Classes
2.) GSW Fundraiser
3.) Dean's List Announcement
4.) Dean Xenia's New Chapter
5.) New Dean of DADA
6.) GSW Seeking Accreditation
7.) The Living Dead
8.) Seeing into the Darkness: Demons
9.) Monthly Class Spotlight
10.) Ceremonial Magick Crossword
2023 Physical Classes
By Grey Matters Staff
If you are seeking the unique experience of taking classes live an in-person with your
instructors at Grey School's Physical Campus in Whitehall, NY, 2023 is sure to be an exciting year for you. Five classes are being offered in an online format. More information on dates and enrollment can be found on the Forums at https://www.greyschool.net/forum/physical-campus/physical-class-list-for-2023
Classes Available:
Wizardry 100 - Four Credits - May 12th-14th and September 15th-17th {Level 1}
Core Energy Practices 100 and 101 - Five Credits - June 16th-18th and August 18th-20th {Level 1}
Usui Reiki 1 Instruction and Certification for a Solid Foundation - Four Credits - August 11th-13th {Level 2}
Magickal Tools - Four Credits - June 2nd-4th and July 28th-30th {Level 3}
Principles of Wildcrafting - Four Credits - May 27th-28th and September 9th-10th {Level 4}
GSW Fundraiser
By Headmaster Kingsley
Well met Wizards and Friends all!
As you may know, the Grey School of Wizardry is currently embarking on a fundraiser and we could use your help. This project, once completed, will help our most wizardly school offer in-person enrollment options for those looking to take their studies off the computer and learn them in the real world! If you could take a moment to look at, and consider supporting our fundraiser it would mean the world.
Together we can achieve great things!
Dean's List Announcement
By Dean Meighen
As of the end of the Fall Term on the Spring Equinox in the year 2023 CE, the following Apprentices have distinguished themselves through academic excellence and earned Dean's List nominations in at least three of their classes. By the power vested in the office of the Dean of Curriculum, I am pleased and honored to award these deserving individuals the honor of the Dean's List.
Their names are henceforth recorded here so that their achievement may be distinguished in perpetuity.
Apprentice Abbie789 (Wizardry 300: The Retreat, Energy: Introduction to Theory and Practice, and Lost Worlds 301: Introduction to Archeology).
Apprentice Apollinaris (Ethnobotany 201, Planetary Correspondences, and Herbal Formulary 501).
Apprentice Bujo (Colors of Magick, Introduction to Herbology, Wizardry 100: Becoming an Apprentice).
Apprentice Corvus Umbra (Leadership 200: Perfect Prefect, The Wheel of the Year: Litha and Lughnasadh, Totems And Familiars, Wizardry 400: Wizards Don't Whine, The Wheel of the Year: Mabon and Samhain, and The Wheel of the Year: Yule and Imbolc).
Apprentice Fred (Wizardry 100: Becoming an Apprentice, Introduction to Cosmology, The Elements, Defense Against the Dark Arts 101: Seeing into the Darkness, Ethics 200: Know Thyself, Dragon Jewels: Basic Crystal Divination, Tea Therapy, Shielding, Spellcraft 200, and Don't Touch That!).
Apprentice Lyssa (Developing Judgment, World-walking 501: The Darkling Path, The Enneagram: Models of Personality, Space Invaders: The Mortal Perils of Alien Fauna, Therapies 601: Emotional Freedom Technique, Defense Against the Dark Arts 601: How to Save the Day, Ethics of the Dark Arts, and Wizardry 600: The Wizard's Staff).
Apprentice Minyassa (Safety and Herb Use, Wizardry 100: Becoming an Apprentice, Colors of Magick, Introduction to Herbology, So You Want To Be A Green Wizard?, The Elements, and Defense Against the Dark Arts 101: Seeing into the Darkness).
Apprentice MysticSilverthread (Adult Leadership 100: A Guide to Becoming Prefect (Winds), Don't Touch That!, and Introduction to Magickal Practices).
Apprentice PsychicMonk (So You Want to be a Yellow Wizard?, Ethics 200: Know Thyself, Introduction to Herbology, and Mantic Arts, Divination and Augury).
Apprentice Snork (The Development of European Magic, The Others, and Magickal Tools).
Apprentice Tsuki (Alchemy 100: Introduction to Alchemy, Spellcraft 200, and Ethics 200: Know Thyself).
Apprentice WISDMAWK (Wizardry 400: Wizards Don't Whine, Introduction to the Great Work, and Practical Mind Magicks).
Apprentice WytheGraalfox (So You Want to be a Gold Wizard?, So You Want to be an Orange Wizard?, and Wizardry 100: Becoming an Apprentice).
Please join me in congratulating these hardworking Wizards for their dedication and commitment to their studies!
Dean Xenia's New Chapter
By Headmaster Kingsley
Dear Grey School of Wizardry community,
It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that we announce the resignation of our esteemed Dean Xenia, who has been an invaluable member of our school since 2016. As she embarks on new adventures, we honor her dedication to the GSW and her countless contributions. Dean Xenia first joined the Grey School of Wizardry in June 2016 as an apprentice and earned her Journeyman Certificate with a Major in Lifeways and two minors in Cosmology and Healthy Living. A proactive member and prefect of the Society of the Four Winds, she graduated magna cum laude in 2017 before becoming a faculty member in February later that year. never content with just good, Dean Xenia worked hard and eventually took on the role of Head of Lodges as well as two Department Deanships before becoming our distinguished Dean of Students. With a PhD in Linguistics, Dean Xenia brought a unique perspective to the spoken word in its many forms. In her personal life, she is married to a fellow Wizard, and together they share a beautiful daughter who fills their lives with magical wonder. With her time stretched thin it is understandable to wish a greater focus on the personal and so it is that Dean Xenia has shared her decision to focus on her passion for writing and spending more time with her family. Rest assured, her classes have been reassigned to equally capable instructors, and she will continue her other duties until April 30, 2023. As she has earned her Journeymen letter from GSW I'm glad to say that She will continue to have access to our forums and Discord, where we hope she will continue to share her wisdom and camaraderie with us all. We are grateful for Dean Xenia's years of service and her unwavering commitment to our school. While we bid her farewell in her current role, we wish her every success in her future endeavors and look forward to her continued presence in our community.
Please join us in expressing our appreciation and extending our best wishes to Dean Xenia on the Forums at https://www.greyschool.net/forum/school-announcements/dean-xenia-s-new-chapter Yours in Wizardry, Headmaster Kingsley
New Dean of Defense Against the Dark Arts
By Headmaster Kingsley
Well met Wizards one and all, I hope that the day finds you in high spirits and good health! As your Headmaster, it is with great pleasure that I announce the promotion of Professor Stefanowicz to the esteemed position of Dean of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Department! I am confident that his extensive experience and dedication to the magical arts will greatly benefit our community. Our Defense Against the Dark Arts Department focuses on understanding the potential hazards of arcane practices, occult entities, and the harmful practices of those who may wish ill. Under Dean Stefanowicz's leadership, our apprentices will continue to receive the highest quality education in defensive occult knowledge, ensuring their safety and growth as wizards. Dean Stefanowicz is a respected Pagan Priest, Wizard, and Psychic Reader based in Philadelphia, PA. He is a member of the Church of All Worlds and the Founder and High Priest of the "South Street Circle." A life-long ritualist, he serves on the Board of Directors for Philadelphia Pagan Pride as the ritual coordinator and frequently performs Rites of Passage within his community. With a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching, I have no doubt that Dean Stefanowicz will lead the Defense Against the Dark Arts Department to new heights, embodying the black magick associated with this Department, representing fortitude, consistency, and the power to protect and banish negativity. Please join me in congratulating Dean Stefanowicz on his new role and welcoming him as our new Dean of Defense Against the Dark Arts. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact he will undoubtedly have on our school and its apprentices. Yours in Wizardry, Headmaster Kingsley
GSW Seeking Accreditation
By Headmaster Kingsley
Dear Grey School of Wizardry Community, We are excited to announce that the Grey School of Wizardry (GSW) is embarking on an important journey – seeking accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)! This significant step will strengthen our reputation and commitment to excellence in education.
To achieve this goal, we have developed a comprehensive plan that involves the collaboration of our esteemed Deans, the GSW Administration, and your invaluable support. We are focused on evaluating and enhancing our curriculum, student support services, faculty development, and overall learning environment to align with ACCSC standards and our own high expectations. As we pursue accreditation, we invite the entire GSW community to join us in embracing this opportunity to showcase our exceptional standards and further establish our institution as a beacon of wisdom, knowledge, and arcane prowess. We are confident that, with your dedication and the tireless support of our entire community, we will achieve our goal of accreditation and continue to nurture others who embody the spirit of Wizardry.
We encourage open communication and collaboration during this process and welcome your ideas and feedback. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the Grey School of Wizardry!
Bright Blessings,
Headmaster Nicholas Kingsley
In the interest of transparency, we are sharing the detailed plans of action for each of our Administrative Deans, who will be instrumental in guiding us toward accreditation. These are available on the Forum at https://www.greyschool.net/forum/school-announcements/gsw-seeking-accreditation
The Living Dead
By Apprentice Aset
Editor's note: This short story is a fictionalized account of the lore behind how Haitian sorcerers called bokors are alleged to turn living people into zombies enslaved to their will.
* * *
I must have looked a ghost, sneaking through the swamps of the bayou. Some little voice in my mind told me what I was doing was wrong, dangerous even – like brokering a deal with the devil. But she’d promised that he would love me again.
Just as long as I did as she asked.
Her home was small and dank, stinking of the swamp. She kept herself hidden half in shadows, producing a vial from a messy altar of scattered feathers and bones. I held back the vomit creeping up my throat when she thrust the vial at me. “Drink thissss,” she ordered, the one eye I could see lined in blackest kohl. “Go home, drink this, and after he will love you again.” I thought I could see a smirk lining her lips, but I hurried through the doorway, glad to be rid of the place.
I downed the vial in one swallow once back in the privacy of my room. It burned on the way down, pooling like acid in my belly. I lay back on the bed just before the convulsions began.
My back arched of its own accord, and I gagged, attempting to retch up the poison. The burning in my throat spread to all my limbs, and I broke into a sweat as my hands became rigid and claw-like. I surely had to be screaming, the pain was so great, but no one came to my aid.
My final thoughts, before the blackness closed in around me, was that I had made a mistake. A fatal mistake, just for his love.
It wasn’t worth it.
I was soaring through time and space, my hands and feet heavy, as though shackled. I could see nothing but streaks of fire as I flashed passed what must have been homes with their lanterns lit…I could smell the swamp again, and my race through time stopped. Disoriented, I could see soft light, as though through a pane of glass. Were those feathers on the ground around me?
I snapped back again, dizzy and enclosed in darkness. My hands were rigid claws once more, and I felt cool dirt beneath my nails as I dug before me. Soil filled my nostrils and closed off my throat. I surely couldn’t breathe, but I didn’t cease my digging. My vision flashed back to the disorienting light, bones and feathers littering the ground around my enclosure. Then I was back in my body, my vision unsteady as I pulled myself out of a hole, collapsing onto the ground. I had no sense of where I was as I pulled myself across the ground.
Up. Stand up.
I pushed myself to my feet in my prison.
My body struggled onto unsteady feet. My feet were heavy, dragging when I walked, my knees scraping against low grayish stones. The tree line ahead of me stretched sideways.
Towards the town, you fool. You know what you need to do.
The voice was so familiar. I dragged heavy feet toward the tree line.
I lay my hands on cold hard glass, trembling as recognition washed over me.
Turn around, fool! The answer is behind you. Retrieve what I seek.
A low moan of agony escaped my throat as I spun my ungainly body slowly around, the lights of the town swaying in the distance. I dragged one foot forward, then the other. I stretched a pale arm forward, reaching toward the place I once lived.
I turned around in the glass vial. Long unkempt hair hung to her waist. One eye ringed in kohl. A smirk played about her lips.
I swayed toward the town.
She cackled as she tapped the glass with one long nail. “I’ve kept my promise: he realized his love for you…once he discovered you were dead.”
I screamed, just as I heard screams of terror erupt around me as the light of the town blared before me, blinding me.
The screams died away. Perhaps it was due to the unspeakable things she forced me to do.
Or else it was my captor’s laughter that rang in my ears, drowning out all else.
Seeing Into the Darkness: Demons
By Apprentice WytheGraalfox
Sláinte!
As extra-credit for the class, “DADA 101: Seeing Into the Darkness,” we are asked to write an essay giving the names and characteristics of the two demons. These are the two that I researched:
Demon 1: Titivillius
I’ve spent many years illuminating pages and doing calligraphy, and in that study, I’ve come across a fascinating linguistic demon named Titivillus. The first attribution of his work is given in the Tractatus de Penitentia, 1285, by Johannes Galensis, where Titivillus is called the “demon of scribes.” His primary duty is to introduce errors into the work of writers, scribes, gossips, and those who perform language translation. He’s shown in doodles on the edges of many fine manuscripts, and was even painted into one of Hieronymus Bosch’s paintings (St. John the Baptist in the Wilderness).
Being a medieval scribe was cold, lonely, frustrating work, with a great deal of pressure on making every word, stroke, and detail correct - both out of a need to glorify God, but also, because wealthy patrons expected nothing less than perfection. Those errors that crept in, therefore it was assumed, must be the work of the infernal trying to blemish this sacred task. Thus, Titivillus, a demon whose work is to corrupt and blight communication.
As Michael Martin writes, “Titivillus, so the story goes, would wander the earth every day collecting scribal errors until he had collected enough to fill his sack a thousand times. As he completed his collections for the day, the sack would be taken to the devil and each mistake was duly entered in a book against the name of the monk who had made the error. Upon Judgement Day, each of the errors would be read out loud and would be held against the monk who had made it.
Jan Ziolkowski calls Titivillus, “the Devil of Details,” and states that he is first noted in the 1200s, and while he is regarded as more common in Medieval English, his name and appearance also occurs in Slovak literature, Anatole France, Herman Melville, and W.H. Auden.
The Myroure of Our Layde (c1500s) states, “I am a poor devil, and my name is Titivillus. I must each day bring my master a thousand pockets full of failings, and of negligences in syllables and words.” In his time, Titivillus has no doubt changed the world in a thousand small ways - and we do not even know the full measure of his work.
Demon 2: Furfur
With entries in the Dictionaire Infernal, the Lesser Key of Solomon, and the Ars Goetica, Furfur (also spelled Furthur, Ferthur) is the 34th of the 72 demons of the Goetica, and an Earl (or Count) of Hell. He is the inspiration for the fantastic beast known as the “Peryton,” who was said to “have the head, neck, forelegs and antlers of a stag, combined with the plumage, wings and hindquarters of a large bird.” (Wikipedia)
Furfur is also referred to colloquially as the “demon of love and storm,” and many of those who revere or study such entities say that he is an underestimated opponent, equally prone to merciful moments as to lightning-strike anger. However, if one is to treat with this spirit, one must use a magician’s triangle to force him to be truthful. “The Thirty-fourth Spirit is Furfur. He is a Great and Mighty Earl, appearing in the Form of an Hart with a Fiery Tail. He never speaketh truth unless he be compelled, or brought up within a triangle,... he giveth True Answers both of Things Secret and Divine, if commanded.” (Ars Goetica) Scot, author of “The Discoverie of Witchcraft,” agrees, saying, “Furfur is a great earle, appearing as an hart, with a firie taile, he lieth in everie thing, except he be brought up within a triangle.”
According to one author (Borges), “perytons lived in Atlantis until an earthquake destroyed the civilization and the creatures escaped by flight,” thus echoing the common mythic declination that demons are creatures who once lived in a paradise, but have been “lost” or cast out from that lofty world.
It is said that Furfur causes love between a man and a woman, creates storms, tempests, thunder, lightning, and teaches on secret and divine things. His bailiwick lies in scorn, troublemaking, and the lure of forbidden things.
The word “furfur” is likely “a corruption of 'furcifer', the Latin word for scoundrel.” (Wikipedia) The Ars Goetica says, “Furfur rules over 26 legions of infernal spirits and his seal must be worn when he is summoned.”
Although references for most demons are male, Furfur is occasionally referred to as a demoness. When a female nature is applied, Furfur is also associated with cold, ice, and the patience of a deadly blizzard, and is a spirit of stoicism, calming intense emotions, self-control, and surviving through difficulty. These inconsistencies are fascinating, and will require more research.
Monthly Class Spotlight - Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram
By Grey Matters Staff
This article is part of a monthly series focusing on specific classes offered at Grey School of Wizardry. If you’re not sure what class to take next, or are looking for a little extra inspiration, you’ll want to pay attention to this section. Feel free to share your thoughts and insights with your fellow apprentices and magisters on the relevant department forums as you go through these classes. Collaboration leads to greater insight!
* * *
Ceremonial magick often has a reputation as being complicated, convoluted, and time-consuming. At times, this reputation can be well-earned; many potent rituals are more akin to stage performances that must balance props, stage directions, lighting, incense, and multiple participants and their parts - to say nothing of the magick itself! However, for most White Wizards and ceremonial magicians their day-to-practices are much more reasonable.
One of the most common of these day-to-day practices is the vaunted Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. Created by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn near the end of the 19th century, it has remained a staple of the Western world's magickal traditions ever since. Even in places you might never expect, it still turns up in modified forms to be used by people who would have scoffed at the elaborate Lodge-style ceremonial magick of its creators.
This class explores why this humble ritual has remained such a mainstay. Pupils will learn about its uses as a preparatory ritual, part purification and part sacred space-creator. They will also delve into the qabbalistic symbolism of the geometric shapes of the cross, pentagram, and circle, the Four Archangels called upon the quarters, and the Divine Names intoned at various points.
The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is often taught as the first ritual learned by aspiring White Wizards and ceremonial magicians, as it combines a number of important ritual skills (movement, gesture, breathing, vibration/intonation of Words of Power, visualization, etc) in one neat package. Those who leave this class will be equipped with the knowledge to practice this useful ritual, hone those essential skills, and lay the foundations needed to learn and practice more complicated rituals in the future.
April Astrological Forecast
By Grey Matters Staff
April 2023 promises to be an exciting time of quick and shifting change from an astrological perspectives.
To begin the month, Mercury will be sextile with Pisces – this will promote awareness of our emotions and inner states.
Just a short day later, Mercury will move into the sign of Aries, where it will be hanging out for almost two weeks. While in Aries, expect communication to be rapid, intense, and perhaps even spontaneous and overly-honest. This will be a good time to consider not instantly sending that text message or other communication that you just tapped out and instead allow it to sit for a bit until you can review it with a cooler head.
While wrangling those aspects, Venus is moving towards a sextile with Aries and Mars the same with Gemini, promoting connections, networking, and new relationships.
For much of the middle of the month, the sun, moon, Mercury, and Venus will be in Aries. Coupled with Mars in Gemini and Saturn in Aquarius, this is an ideal time to push your own agends and plans, to actualize your agency, and overcome obstacles to your plans.
Near the end of the month, the sun and Moon will be heading out of Aries and enter the fixed Earth sign of Taurus, trading passionate and energetic fire energy for solid, reliable, and steady earthiness. At this time, things will start to slow down and it will be a good time to put your nose to the grindstone and make steady but consistent progress.
To round out the month, April’s full moon will be a supermoon in Scorpio which will oppose the sun, Mercury, and Venus while they are in Taurus. The supercharged and piercing energy of Scorpio will look to strike that which is outdated – be it our relationships, behaviors, plans, or anything else – and usher in a productive time to do some Spring cleaning in our lives.
Ceremonial Magic Crossword
By Grey Matters Staff
Complete it online at https://crosswordlabs.com/view/gsw-ceremonial-magick-dept-crossword
Or download a PDF:
